U.S., South Korea Cut Joint Drills at Trump's Request

The United States and South Korea have agreed to dramatically shorten their ongoing joint military exercise, the Ulchi Freedom Shield, cutting it from an 11-day schedule to just five days at the request of Washington. The decision, announced by Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, follows a surprise order from President Donald Trump to substantially reduce American participation in the drills, which began on Monday, August 17.

The exercise will now conclude on Friday, August 21, instead of the originally planned August 27. According to South Korean military officials, the new schedule eliminates the second phase of the exercise, which typically focuses on counteroffensive operations. Some planned combined field training will also be reduced, though specific details remain under discussion between the two militaries. A U.S. Department of Defense official stated that the department had substantially reduced the exercise and associated live-training events, with some cancelled or switched to simulations, but added that the changes would preserve essential readiness and training aims.

Trump announced his directive on Sunday, August 16, just hours before the...